Woman faces jail after pets were starved to death

A woman has been warned she could be jailed after admitting starving a house full of animals to death in Melton.

Emma Clark admitted failing to feed three dogs, two cats, two rabbits, a pair of snakes and a lizard over a period of nearly four months.

She was prosecuted by the RSPCA for not feeding 10 pets at a house in St Peter’s Walk between November 1 last year and February 22.

Clark’s menagerie included a German Shepherd called Beast, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Tyson and a Mexican hairless dog called Stanley.

She also had a cat called Mittens, a kitten called Lucy and a leopard gecko called Leonard. Clark also had a boa constrictor and a corn snake as well as two domestic rabbits.

All of them died as a result of the neglect they suffered.

Clark (28), of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm her name and admit the charges against her during a short hearing at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

She will be sentenced after the Probation Service has assessed her.

But magistrates warned her they were considering a prison sentence.

She was released on unconditional bail and will appear in court for sentencing next month.

After the hearing Kevin McCole, representing the RSPCA, said: “She was attending the house but she abandoned the animals and they starved.”

In March the Melton Times reported on the deaths of the animals at St Peter’s Walk after horrific photos of the animals’ bodies before they were removed were posted on social media.

Neighbours said they had called the RSPCA voicing their concerns about the animals on several occasions.

At the time an RSPCA spokeswoman said the animal welfare organisation had received two calls about the St Peter’s Walk property - one in December and one in February.

She added: “An inspector visited on each occasion, leaving a card, and was called back by a resident saying she still lived there and hadn’t abandoned any animals. As soon as we were called again the RSPCA again visited the house and inspectors were confronted by the distressing scenes inside.”